Egypt Reported Getting Rocket Guns, 350 Tanks, 50 Jet Bombers

March 14, 1956

TEL AVIV (Mar. 13)

Communist supplies of arms to Egypt have far surpassed Egypt’s military needs, yet additional arms transports are expected at Egyptian ports shortly, it was reported here today. Explanations here of this oversupply of weapons to Egypt include the possibility that the Soviet Union plans to establish a Middle Eastern arms depot in Egypt or that Egypt is acquiring more arms than she needs so as to be able to act as a munitions merchant for the other Arab states.

It was learned, meanwhile, that Czech shipments to Egypt include rockets with a 70 mile range, an estimated 300 T-4 tanks, 50 Stalin tanks and possibly 50 Ilyushin jet bombers capable of an altitude of 50,000 feet, far above the range of anti-aircraft guns. The bombers are capable, of delivering five-ton missiles.

These reports say that hundreds of Egyptians are being trained in Communist countries and many Russian training teams are teaching Egyptian soldiers to use heavy guns and tanks supplied by the Soviet bloc. The bulk of the Egyptian Army has been moved into the Sinai Peninsula, it is reported, and has taken up aggressive formations. The Syrian Army has also taken up border positions, it was learned here.